Danny Boy and Other Songs I Love to Sing is the eighth studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams. It was released in early 1962 by Columbia Records. This was his first project after leaving Cadence Records, where his albums each had a specific theme. Additionally, it was his first in a series of LPs that covered songs established on stage, screen, and other hits from the pop chart and the Great American Songbook. This trend would not be interrupted until his 1966 album, The Shadow of Your Smile, hinted at a shift toward contemporary material with its inclusion of songs first recorded by the Beatles.
The album debuted on Billboard magazine's Top LP's chart in the issue dated March 3, 1962. It stayed around for 36 weeks, peaking at number 19.[4] It debuted on the Cashbox albums chart in the issue dated April 7, 1962, and remained on the chart for a total of four weeks, peaking at number 42.[5]
The single, "Danny Boy", debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the issue dated October 30, 1961, and reached number 64 during its six-week stay.[6] On Billboard's Easy Listening chart, it peaked at number 15.[7] and number 78 on the Cashbox singles chart during its six weeks there.[8]
The album was released on compact disc by Sony Music Distribution on May 15, 2001, as tracks 1 through 12 on a pairing of two albums on one CD with tracks 13 through 24 consisting of Williams's Columbia album from April 1962, Moon River and Other Great Movie Themes.[9] It was released as one of two albums on one CD by Collectables Records on February 5, 2002, along with Williams's Columbia album from January 1964, The Wonderful World of Andy Williams.[10] Collectibles included the CD in a 2002 box set entitled Classic Album Collection, Vol. 2, which contained 15 of his studio albums and two compilations.[11]
AllMusic's William Ruhlmann wrote that this was an "entertaining collection" and "features some excellent performances of well-known tunes."[2]
Billboard said it features "a group of old songs, each with a gentle, romantic flavor"[13]
Variety noted Williams' "warm baritone gives plenty of meaning to such as "Danny Boy", [and] "Misty"[14]
From the liner notes for the 2002 CD:[1]
The single "Danny Boy" brought another of the six Grammy nominations that Williams received over the course of his career, this time in the category for Best Solo Vocal Performance, Male.[15]
From the liner notes for the original album:[3]